Alpha's Discarded Luna (Talia) novel Chapter 222

Chapter 221-1

Talia’s POV

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After Talia and the others leave the courtyard, Electra

glances behind her, making sure they are out of Nick’s sight. Her shoulders relax, and her voice drops to a conspiratorial

mutter.

“Is Nick’s elevator not going all the way to the top floor?” She shakes her head, incredulous. “He keeps getting burned, but

he never learns. Does he actually enjoy getting humiliated? The more you put him in his place, the more determined he

gets?”

She counts on her fingers, ticking off his failures. “Last time, the Thorne Group’s market value evaporated by tens of

billions of dollars. Tens of billions, Lena. That is not pocket

change. That is not a slap on the wrist. The company would have been in deep trouble if not for Nick’s father and Aires scrambling to do damage control.”

She throws her hands up. “And yet, here he is. Strutting

around like a peacock, running his mouth, acting like he is

untouchable. Does he have no self–awareness at all?”

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Talia’s voice is flat, unimpressed. “As long as Aires is willing to back him up, Nick will always have a safety net. He knows that. That is why he keeps pushing.”

Electra crosses her arms, her brow furrowed. “Still, I think Aires’s patience is running thin. Did you see what happened with Nick’s little gang? When they got into trouble, Aires did not lift a finger to help them. He did not call anyone. He did not pull strings. He made a point to distance himself publicly.”

At that, Electra lets out a sharp, satisfied laugh. “Serves them right! I have been sick of those disgusting losers for ages.

Every time I see their faces, I want to gag.”

She shudders, remembering. Electra attended Aeson’s

birthday party too. She did not witness them trying to trip

Talia, but she saw other things. She saw them harassing the

pretty waitresses, making crude comments, grabbing at

arms and waists. It was absolutely vile.

“Fortunately,” Electra adds, “you had no intention of

swallowing that insult. You quietly gathered evidence

and gave them a taste of their own medicine.” She nods

approvingly. “Otherwise, I would have been fuming.”

Talia does not dwell on Nick for long. To her, he is nothing 2/5

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more than a clown. A noisy, obnoxious distraction. Not worth the mental energy.

A knock sounds at the door. They are waiting in the lounge, and the competition coordinator pokes her head in. It is time for the drawing.

Talia expects Imema to handle it. The foreign language performance is a big deal for the kindergarten, and Imema loves any opportunity to be in the spotlight. But to Talia’s surprise, it is Aires who walks through the door.

He is never one to attend children’s events. His schedule is always too full, his meetings too important. Yet this is the

second time he has shown up.

Talia watches him cross the room, and something cold settles

in her chest. Imema’s position must be even more significant

than she imagined. Aeson’s wish must have come true.

She remembers how Aeson used to beg his father to watch his competitions and performances. How his small face

would light up at the mere possibility of Aires showing up.

How often he was disappointed.

Now, with Imema around, all his wishes have been granted. 3/5

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Of course.

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Talia acts as if she has not seen Aires. She turns away, her

expression indifferent. Her gaze drifts to the window, to the trees swaying in the breeze. Anything but him.

The drawing process goes smoothly. Names are pulled from a velvet bag. Numbers are assigned.

Unfortunately, luck is not on Talia’s side. She draws a later slot in the lineup. The performance will be towards the end, which means more waiting, more nerves, more time to

second–guess.

Aires secures an early position. Fifth. Out of the way quickly. He will be done before Talia even takes the stage.

After confirming their performance order, Talia leaves the room. Her heels click against the polished floor. She is ready to return to the lounge, to sit with Robin and Electra and Jack,

to wait for her turn.

But Aires strides forward and blocks her path. His tall frame

cuts off her escape.

“Talia.” 4/5

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<Chapter 221-1

Her delicate features hold a trace of mockery. She tilts her

head, looking up at him with cold amusement.

“Aires, last time you asked me to withdraw from the violin performance.” She pauses, letting the memory hang between them. “This time, are you here to tell me to back out of the foreign language competition too?”

Aires swallows hard. His throat works. “No.” His voice is rough,

quieter than usual. “I just wanted to ask you something.”

Talia raises a brow, unhurried. “Since I am going on later,

I have got time.” She crosses her arms. “If you do not mind wasting yours, go ahead.”

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